Automatic vacuum cleaners



Nov. 26, 1957 A. H. BEEDE ETAL 2,814,358

AUTOMATIC VACUUM CLEANERS 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 31, 1955 m W W MAYTOIWE'Y Nov. 26, 1957 A. H. BEEDE ETAL AUTOMATIC VACUUM CLEANERS 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 31, 1955 INVENTORS fle/volo #55505 flllf/V P 09W! Nov. 26, 1957 A. H. BEEDE' ETAL AUTOMATIC VACUUM CLEANERS 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Aug. 51, 1955 INVENTORS flea/01a A. 5550: Ha m P. 84m

ATTORNEY United States Patent AUTOMATIC VACUUM CLEANERS Arnold H. Beede, Stamford, and Allen 1?. Cawl, Noroton Heights, Conn., assignors to Electrolux Corporation, Old Greenwich, Conn, a corporation of Delaware Application August 31, 1955, Serial No. 531,780

15 Claims. (Cl. 183-37) Our invention relates to vacuum cleaners and more particularly to vacuum cleaners of the automatic type in which there is provided means responsive to the pressure drop through the dust bag for effecting an automatic control of the cleaner. Such control may consist in stopping the motor, opening the front cover or both.

One of the objects of our invention is to provide a vacuum cleaner of this type in which all of the controls are mounted in the removable front cover itself. One advantage of such arrangement is that if the control mechanism gets out of order it may be replaced by merely placing a new cover on the cleaner, and this may be done about as readily as the original cover is closed every time the cleaner is opened for the removal of the bag.

Another object of our invention is to provide a combined top trim piece and carrying handle which performs several functions. One of these is to enclose and retain in place a motor switch without the use of any bolts, rivets or similar fastening devices. Another function is to provide -a unique form of insulated terminal block to which the electric cord may be readily connected and disconnected without the use of tools.

A still further object of our invention is to provide a vacuum cleaner which may use either a disposable dust bag made of cheap material, such as paper and cardboard, or a permanent bag made of durable cloth mounted on a metal rim which carries a gasket or novel construction so that the external air pressure tends to expand this gasket in opposite directions so as to seal it both against the front cover and the housing of the vacuum cleaner.

Further objects and advantages of our invention will be apparent from the following description considered in connection with the accompanying drawings which form a part of this specification and of which:

Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a vacuum cleaner in accordance with our invention and is taken on the line 11 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 2 is a front view of the front cover of the vacuum cleaner shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a rear View of the front cover shown in Fig. 2 with a closure plate removed;

Fig. 4 is a top view of a portion of the vacuum cleaner shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view on an enlarged scale taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view on an enlarged scale taken on the line-6-6 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view on an enlarged scale taken on the line 7-7 of Fig. 2; and

Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 88 of Fig. 7.

Referring more particularly to Fig. 1, reference char acter 1t designates generally an outer elongated airtight body. A motor-fan unit comprising an electric motor 12 and a fan 14 is mounted in a bulkhead 16 disposed near the right-hand end of the body 10, as viewed in Fig. 1.

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The fan is formed with an inlet 18 which communicates with a dust bag compartment formed within the body 10 to the left of the bulkhead 16. Secured within the open end of the dust bag compartment is an inner perforated body 20.

A gasket 22 of rubber or other suitable flexible material is carried by the open ends of the bodies 10 and 20 and includes a portion 24 which serves as a seat for a dust bag, as will appear hereinafter. A metal rim 26 surrounds most of the gasket 22, except the portion 24 thereof. Secured in any suitable manner to the bottom of the outer body 10 adjacent to the end carrying the rim 26 is a casting 28 in which is suitably mounted a caster 30. Casting 28 also includes a lip 32 extending forwardly of the rim 26, this lip constituting one part of a separable hinge, the other part of which is designated by reference character 34 and forms part of a front cover or closure 36. This cover is generally dish-shaped so as to provide a space 38 within which may be located the automatic controls. An inlet conduit 40 extends through the central part of the cover 36 and the outer end of this conduit is formed as one part of a separable coupling 42, the other part of which is carried by a suction hose so that the hose may be detachably connected to the inlet conduit. The space 38 is closed by a removable plate 44 having a central opening through which inlet 40 passes. Secured in this opening in the plate is a resilient rubber ring 46 which provides a substantially airtight seal between the plate and the outer surface of the conduit 40.

Secured to the upper surface of outer body 10 is a channel shaped member 50 shown more particularly in Figs. 1 and 8. The web portion 52 of channel 50 is extended beyond rim 26, as is clearly shown in Fig. 1, and is formed as a hook 54. Pivotally mounted at 56 in the cover 36 is a latch member 58 which is adapted to engage the hook 54 so as to retain the cover member in place when the portion 34 of the separable hinge is received within the portion 32. A spring 60 surrounds the pivot 56 and urges latch 58 into latching position. The upper end of the latch extends through a slot 62 formed in the front cover so as to be accessible for manual maniplation.

The lower portion of the latch 58 constitutes an arm 64 which is formed with a slot having an upper wide portion 66 and a lower narrow portion 68. A pin 78 is secured to a flexible diaphragm 72 which forms one wall of a power diaphragm chamber 74 formed in the front cover. The other end of the pin carries a head 76 which is of less diameter than the wider portion 66 of the slot in arm 64, but is of greater diameter than the narrower portion 68 of this slot. Thus, the parts may be assembled by deforming the flexible diaphragm 72 sufliciently to permit head 76 to pass through the wide upper portion 66, but the diaphragm and gravity will normally hold the pin in the lower narrow portion 68.

Mounted in the front cover 36 below the inlet opening 40 and designated generally by reference character 78 is a control diaphragm mechanism. This includes a casing forming a diaphragm chamber in which is disposed a flexible diaphragm 80. The space in the chamber to the right of the diaphragm, as viewed in Fig. 1, is connected through a tube 82 with an opening formed in an intermediate portion of the inlet conduit 40 (see Fig. 3). A tube 84 is connected to the other side of the diaphragm chamber and extends around the inlet conduit 40 and the power diaphragm chamber 74 and terminates in an opening 86 formed near the upper edge of the plate 44 of the front cover. As is shown more particularly in Fig. 7, when the front cover is in place, this opening 86 is aligned with the flared end 88 of a tube 90 which is held in place between a bracket 92 extending upwardly from the front end of one of the flanges of channel member 50, and a downwardly extending lip 94 on a channel member 96 which is secured to the top of the outer body 10. The tube 90extends through an opening formed in the outer body so as-to communicate with the dust bag compartment therein. Member 96" conceals most of channel 50 and is made of electrical insulating material.

The casing of the control member 78includ'es a cylindrical portion 98 within which is movably mounted a valve body consisting of a sleeve 100'to which is'securely fixed a knob 102 which has threadedengagement with the cylindrical part 98. Sleeve'100'is formed with' an internal annularshoulder formingrat valve seat with which cooperates a valve member 104; which is *urgedinto sealing contact with the seatibymeans' ofa spring 106. The valve 104 is'secured to. a stem108 which extends into. the diaphragm chamber. so. as to be contacted by the diaphragm 80 if the latter is displaced totlielcft. The diaphragm' is normally urged to the right bynreans of a loading spring 110; Aswillbe seen Iclearly'in bothFigs; 1 and 2, the knob' 102 is accessiblefrorn" the exterior of cover 36 for manual rotation and it will be seen that rotation ofthe knob moves the latter'along with the sleeve 100 and the valve' 104 axiallyof thecylindrical" portion 98' so as to vary'the displacemenrrequired of the' dia phragm 80 before it strikes the stern 108; A tube112 connectsthe interior of'cylindrical portion 98-to theinterior of'power diaphragm chamber 74':

As isshown' in Fig; 1, a disposable dustbagdesignated' generally by reference character 114 is disposedwithin the'inuer body 20. This bag includes a relativelystitf cardboard disc 116 to which is secured a bag 118 of porous material, preferably paper. The size and shape of disc 116'is such that it fits on the seat formed by the portion 24 0f the gasket 22, and isforined with a central aperture through which the inlet conduit 40 extends. When the front cover is in place, the resilientring-46 bears against the central portion of the disc 116' and urges the periphery of the disc into sealing'contact with the gasket portion 24.

As'is shown in Fig. 7, the disposable'dust bag 114 may be replaced by a permanent one consisting of a rigid rim 120 of metal or the. like to whichis secured the open mouth of a cloth-bag 122. Rim 120 carriesa' gasket consisting of a ring portion 124 and an outwardly flared portion 126. When this bag-is= inserted in the cleaner and the front cover is in-place' the ring-portion 1-24--bears against the gasket portion- 24, while the'flared portion 126 bears against the -plate 44 of the front cover. When the motor-fan unit is operated it produces a partial vacuum within the body andconsequently atmospheric pressure acts against the outer surface ofthe flared portion126 so as to force itto the left into sealing contact with the plate 44; and also-acts against the'lefthand annular. face ofring portion 124 so asto force the ring to the right and into sealing contact with the gasket portion 24: The pressuredrop' of. the air passing through the dust bag 122 also exertsa force to the right, as-viewed in Fig; 7, tending'to hold the ring portion 124 against the gasket portion 24. Due to theflexibility of thematerial of which the gasket on rim 120 is made, the flared portion 126 may be moved to the left, while the ringiportion 124 is moved slightly to the right. This construction enables the gasketto accommodate: itself torather wide variations in the distance between the plate 44 and the gasket portion 24, which variations are bound to occur in the mass production-of the vacuum cleaners.-

As'previously'mentioned, a-channel member'96 issecured to the top of'outer body 10. As is shown in Fig. 1, the left-hand end of the channel member is formed with a downward extension 128'which is formed with a shoulder on the left side thereof, as viewed in.Fig.a1. The web 52 of channel member: 50- isformed with. an.

opening through which the projection may be inserted and if the channel 96 is thereafter moved slightly to the left, the shoulder on projection 128 will be engaged underneath the web of the channel 50 and this end of the channel 96 will thus be held securely in place.

An electric switch 130 is mounted within channel member 96, as is shown in Figs. 1 and 5. The switch itselfis of the standard toggle type and includes a pivoted actuating arm 132. As is shown in Fig. 5 the top of channel 96 in the neighborhood of switch 130 is formed with three parallel slots and the arm 132 extends outwardly through the center slot. The switch itself is'enclosed within a switch case which includes a pair of vertical side walls 134, a bottom wall 136 and one vertical end wall 133. A switch actuating member includes a pair of vertical arms 140 joined together at the top by a connecting member 142. The vertical arms 140 extend through the two outer slots formed in the channelmember 96 and are disposed between the side wallsof the channel and the side walls 134 of the switch case. The lower ends of these arms are formed with cylindrical outwardly extending projections 144 which are received in recesses formed in the side walls of the channel 96 and the switch case is formed with a pair of projections 146 which, when the case is in position, retain the projections 144 in their recesses. The material of which the arms 140 are made is somewhat resilient, thus permitting the arms to be deformed towards each other sufliciently for the projections 144 to pass through the outer slots in the top of channel 96 and then to snap outwardly when the projections 144 are brought into alignment with the recesses in the side walls of the channel 96. Thereafter, the switch case with the switch 130 therein may be inserted between arms 140 and the projections 146 thereon will assure that the projections. 144 remain in their recesses. The parts are so dimensioned that the case will be retained in position between the top of'the channel 96 and the top of the outer body 10 when the channel is secured in place. The underside of the top portion 142 is formed with a recess or pocket 148 which is adapted to receive the end of pivoted arm 132 with a certain amount of play so that when the switch actuatingmember is pivoted about the projections 144 it will move the switch arm 132, which is pivoted in the switch-130 about a dilferent center.

Extending outwardly from one of the arms 140 of the switch actuating member is a pin 141'which, as is shown more particularly'in Figs. 5 and 6, enters a slot 143 formed in one end of a rod 145. This rodis slidably supported in an extension147' on theinside ofchannel 96 and a spring 149 urges'the rod to the left; tends to project the. left-hand end" of the rodbetween the rim 26 and the end of channel 96'an'd into contact with the plate 44 of cover 36 when the'latter is in place. When the cover is removed thespring is able'to' move'the' rod to the left and if the switch is in the on position, in

which position pin 141 is in the dotted line position as shown in Fig. 6, this movement of therodwill pivot the switch actuating member counterclockwise'to the position illustrated in Fig. 6. When the rod-is held inthe position shown in Fig. 6 by the cover member, the switch actuating member may be moved back and forth between the on and off positions, the pin-141 merely moving back and forth through the slot 143.

A suitable fastening means, such asa-bolt 150 extends through the channel member 96--adjacent to the switchand also through one end'of a handle'member 152 so as to secure both the channel and the 'handleto the outer body 10. The channel isformed with an opening.154

through which the handle 152 extends so that the above mentioned end thereof may be'underneath-the channel,

'while the major portion of the channel'is above it. The handle 152 is madeof electrical insulating-material which is also flexible.

As is shown more particularly. irrFigs. l. and 4, the.

The spring right-hand end of the channel member 96 is formed as a. terminal block for the electrical connections. The upper surface of the member 96 at this end is formed with a serpentine groove 156 which is adapted to receive an electrical cord 158. The inner end of the groove 156 terminates in a recess 160 in which are secured a pair of terminals 162 and 164 respectively. Adjacent to each terminal the member 96 is formed with a narrow groove 166. A spring contact 168 is secured to each terminal and extends into the adjacent narrow groove. The cord 158 has a pair of conductors 170 to the end of each of which is fastened a contact strip 172. These strips are disposed in the narrow grooves 166 in current carrying relationship with the spring contacts 168, the resiliency of the latter urging them into such relationship. A conductor 174 is connected to the terminal 162 and leads to the motor 12, while a conductor 176 is connected to the terminal 164 and passes underneath a portion of the channel 96 to the switch 130. Another conductor 178 leads from the switch underneath the channel and is connected to a conductor 180 leading to the motor.

A rear portion 182 of the handle 152 serves as a cover member for enclosing the grooves 156 and 166 and the recess 160 of the terminal block. These ends of both the handle and the member 96 may be enclosed within a metal case 184 which may have a projecting finger 186 for holding one of the nozzles usable with the vacuum cleaner. A fastening bolt or the like 188 passes through the case 184, the end 182 of the handle 152 and the member 96 to secure them to the outer body 10.

In order that the cord 158 may be spaced above the rear end of body sufliciently to permit movement of a bail, to be described below, the rear straight portion of groove 156 may be inclined upwardly and the lower surface of portion 182 of the handle may be correspondingly grooved.

A stamping 190 for retaining a filter 192 is secured in the right-hand end of the outer body 10, preferably by means of a press fit. Removably secured to this end of the body is a cord reel designated generally by reference character 194. This includes three stampings suitably secured together as by spot welding. The first stamping 196 cooperates with the stamping 190 to hold the filter 192 therebetween. Secured to stamping 196 is a stamping 198 which has an inclined flange portion and a central aperture 200. Secured to this stamping is a third stamping 202 which likewise has a flange portion and a central opening 204. The two flange portions together form a groove within which the electric cord 158 may be wound when the cleaner is not in use. The central openings 200 and 204 of the stampings serve as an exhaust passage for the discharge of air from the vacuum cleaner.

Secured to the lower edge of stamping 198 of the cord reel 194 is an angle member 206 which may be received in a cooperating angle member 208 secured to the bottom of outer body 10. The upper edge of stamping 198 is formed with a projecting portion 210 which may be engaged by a bail 212, the ends of which are pivoted in the metal case 184, as is shown more particularly in Fig. 4. Thus, if it is desired to move the cord reel in order to replace the filter 192, the bail 212 may be lifted to clear the projection 210 whereupon the cord reel may be pivoted in a clockwise direction about the angle 208 until the angle 206 may be disengaged therefrom.

The right-hand end of the cleaner may be supported in any suitable manner, such as by a pair of wheels 214 rotatably mounted on a transverse axial 216.

The above described device operates as follows:

In order to first place a dust bag in the cleaner, the latch 58 may be depressed manually so as to disengage it from the hook 54, whereupon the front cover may be removed entirely from the cleaner by virtue of the separable hinge 32, 34. Thereupon either a paper dust bag 114, as shown in Fig. l, or a cloth dust bag 122, as shown in Fig. 7, may be inserted Within the inner body 2.0. The

8 cover 36 is then replaced by engaging the portions 32 and 34 of the hinge and pivoting the cover clockwise until latch 58 engaged hook 54. If a paper bag has been placed in the machine the inlet 40 of the front cover will pass through the central opening of the cardboard disc 116 and the resilient ring 146 surrounding the inlet conduit 40 will bear against the central portion of the disc so as to hold the periphery thereof in sealing relationship with the gasket portion 24. If, on the other hand, a cloth bag has been placed in the cleaner, the flared portion 126 of the gasket on the bag will bear against the closure plate 44, while the ring portion 124 will bear against the gasket portion 24, as previously described, and the inlet 40 will discharge directly into the open mouth of the bag 122.

The motor 12 is started by pivoting the switch actuating member 142 so as to throw the switch arm 132 to the on position. With the front cover in place, the rod 145 is held in the position shown in Fig. 6, and hence pin 141 on the switch actuating member may move freely in slot 143. Operation of the fan causes air to be drawn in through the inlet 40, through the material of the bag 118 or 122, and through the holes in the inner body 20 to the inlet 18. The air discharged from the fan passes over the motor 12 and through the filter 192 and is discharged through the central openings 200 and 204.

If a hose is connected to the inlet conduit 40 and dustladened air is conveyed therethrough, the dust will be collected within the dust bag while the clean air will continue as above described. As the dirt accumulates within the bag it ofiers an increasing resistance to the flow of air therethrough and consequently the value of the vacuum outside of the bag and within the body 10 increases, while the partial vacuum within the bag itself decreases. Inasmuch as'these pressures are communicated by means of the tubes and 84 and the tube 82, respectively, to the opposite sides of the diaphragm 80, the increasing pressure diflerential will cause the diaphragm to be deflected to the left against the force of spring 110. When this deflection is suflicient, the diaphragm will contact the end of stem 108 so as to un seat valve 104 and to establish communication from the diaphragm chamber on the left of the diaphragm through the open valve and the tube 112 to the power diaphragm chamber 74. Thus, a high vacuum will be established in the chamber 74, causing the diaphragm 72 to be moved to the left, as viewed in Fig. 1, so as to pivot the latch 58 out of engagement with the hook 54. This permits the rod 145 under the influence of spring 149 to move to the left, thus opening the front cover and its own Weight, plus the Weight of the hose attached thereto will cause it to fall away from the body of the cleaner. Movement of the rod 149 to the left causes pin 141 to be engaged by the end of slot 143 to thereby pivot the switch actuating member so as to throw the switch to the off position.

The pressure drop through the bag required to open the valve 104 may be varied by adjusting the knob 102. As previously stated, turning of this knob moves the sleeve attached thereto in or out and hence varies the distance between the stem 108 and the diaphragm 80. Thus, if it is desired to retard the opening of the front cover, the knob 104 is turned counterclockwise, as viewed in Fig. 2, so as to move the sleeve 100 outwardly. This means that a greater pressure drop through the bag must occur in order to move the diaphragm 80 far enough to contact the stem 108 to open the valve 104. Conversely, turning of the knob in the opposite direction reduces the pressure drop required.

If it ever becomes necessary or desirable to replace the electric cord 158, this may be done readily by removing the fastening member 188 and lifting the end 182 of the handle member, which may be done because of the flexible nature of this member. The cord 158 may then be removed from the passage 156 and the contact strips 172 pulled out of the recesses 166 without the use of any tools; Ifany trouble. develops in the automatic controls, they-may'all be replaced-by 'placing anew front cover 36 on the cleaner: 7

While we haveshown and described a more or less specific embodimentlof our invention, it is 'to'be-un'der stood that this has-been doneforpurposes"of'illustration only and thatthe scope of our inventionis not to be limitedithereby, but is tob'e determined' fromthe appended claims.

What'we claim is:

1; In'avacuum cleaner, a honsing defining a-compartment having an-opening, a dust container insertable-into and removable from said compartment through said opening, a motor-fan unit for producing How of air through said compartment and through" said container therein, a'closuremember for said opening,- an inlet passage extending through said closure membei releasable means on saidclosure member for securingthe latter 'to said. housing; a pneumatic device carriedby'saidclosure memberforreleasing said releasable means; adifierential pressure diaphragrn carried"by-said closure*member, conduit meansfor subjectingone sideof said diaphragm to the air pressure existing in said inlet'passage, conduit means-for subjecting the other side of said'diaphragmto the air pressure existing within said compartment, the

last-mentioned conduit means comprising a first conduit carried .by said closure member and a secondconduit carried-by-said-housing-and sealing means at the endof" one of said conduits for etfecting an airtight connection with the end of the other of said conduits when said closure member issecured to said housing, and valve means openable by deflection of said diaphragm for communicating the air pressure existingin said compartment to said pneumatic device.

2. In a vacuum cleaner, a housingdefining a compartmentthavingan opening, a dust' container insertable into and removable from said compartment through said opening; a motor-fan unit for producing flow of air through said compartment and through said container therein, a closure member for said' opening, an inlet passage extending through said closure'member, a'latch pivoted on said closure-member'forsecuring thelatter to saidhousing; a diaphragm carried by said closure member, a pin having a head movable by said diaphragm, an arm connected to said latch and formed with a slot having an enlarged portion larger than said head and a restricted'portion smallerthan said head, said head being'insertable through said enlarged portion and said'pinbeing movable into said restri'ctedportion to cause said head to engage said arm, a' differential pressure diaphragm carried by said closure member, means for subjecting one side of'said difierential pressure diaphragm to the air pressure existing in said inlet conduit, means for subjecting the other side of said dilferential pressure diaphragm to the air pressure existing within said compartment, and valve means openable bydeflection of said differential pressure diaphragm for communicating the'air pressure existing-in said compartment to the first mentioned diaphragm.

3. In a vacuum cleaner, a housing defining'a compart' ment having an opening, a dust container insertable into and removable'from said compartment through said opening,,a motor-fan unit for producing flow of air'through said compartment and through said container therein, a completelyremovable closure member for said opening, an inletpa'ssage extending through said closure member, releasable means on Said closure member for securing the latterto said housing, a pneumatic device carried by said closure member for-releasing said releasable means, a differential pressure diaphragm carried by said closure member,. conduit means for subjecting one side of said diaphragm to the air pressure existing in said inlet passage, conduit means for subjecting the other side of said diaphragm to the air pressure existing within said compartment, the last-mentioned conduit means comprising a irstconduit carried by said closure member and a second conduit carri'edby saidhousing and sealing meansat'tli'e end of one of saidconduits f6refiiecting an-"airtight con-- nection with'the end of the OtHEf'Of Said C0I1di1itS WilBn' said closure member" is secured to'-said housing; valve means openable by-- defl'eetibn of said diaphra'g'mforcommunicating" the air 'pressure existing in* said com'-- partment to -said'pneumatiedevice; a switchonsaid'housing forcontrolling saidm'otor-fan unit, a switch-actuating member mov-ably mounted on"said 'housing; and meansbiasin'gsaid actuatingrnemlier' towards switchopening position, said-actuating member contacting'said closure member when the latter is se'cured to said housing -to restrain the actuating member against movement by said biasing means.

41 In* a vacuum claner'; a housing defining a compartment having-anop'ening; a moter-'-fan unit for pro-- ducing flow of air through" said 'co'mpartment, a closuremember forsaid opening, a -bar secured to theoutside of said housing adjacent tosaid opening for" removably engaging said closure-member; achannel member on said housing enclosing-a major'p'ortion' of said bar'andhaving a shoulderedmember adjacent to'one end for engaging an aperture in said bar"to secured said I end "of said channel memberto' said libusing, anelectric switchtor-*c'ontrollingsaid motor enclosed b'y said 'channel'memberandretained between-the=lattertandsaid'housingg andmeans for fastening" the'otli'er' end of said channelmember in fixed relation" tosaidih'eusing:

5. Ida vacuum cleaner; a housing defining a corn- 0 partment having an opening; a closure=forsaid ope'ning;

a bar-'secured tothe" outside ofsaid' hou sing adjacent to said opening'for'removably engaging said closure; a cha'nnel member: on saidhousingenclosing a major portion'of said banandhavingashoulderedprojection adjacent to one endfo'r engaging an aperture in said bar to secured" said end of said channel member to said housing, a-han dle member-for carrying said cleaner, one end ofsaid handle member extending through an opening insaid channel member so as to be-disposed between-the latter and said housing, a fasteningelement extending from said channelmember through said end of said handle member to secure said members to said housing, and'means for'securing the opposite'ends of said members to said housing.

6. In a vacuum cleaner, a housing defining a compartment having an opening, amotor-fan unit for producing fiow of'air'throughsaid compartment, a closure for said opening, a bar secured to the outside of said housingadjacent to said openingfor removably engaging said closure, a channel member on said housing enclosing a major portion of said bar and having a shouldered extension adjacent to 'oneend" for engaging an aperture in said bar to secured said end of said channel member to said housing, an electric switch for controlling said motor enclosed by a central portion of said'channel member and retained between thelatter and said housing, a handle member for carrying said cleaner, one end of said handle member extending through an" opening in said channel member adjacent to said switch so as to be disposed between said chann'el-member and said housing, a fastening element extending from said channel adjacent to said switch and throughsaid endof said handle member to secure saidmembers to'said housing, and means for securing the opposite-ends of said members to said housing.

7. In a vacuum'cleaner, a housing defining a compartment having an opening, a motor-fan-unit for producing flow of air through said compartment, a'closure for said opening,- a bar'securedto the outside of said housing adjacent to said opening for'removably engaging said closure, a channel member of insulating material on said housing enclosing a majorportion of said bar and having ashouldered projection adjacent to one end for engaging an aperture in saidbar to secured said end of said channel member to said housing, .a handlemember of insulating material for carryingsaid" cleaner, one'end'ofsaid handle member extending through an opening inv said channel member so as to be disposed between the latter and said housing, a fastening element extending from said channel member through said end of said handle member to secure said members to said housing, electric terminal means for supplying current to said motor mounted on the opposite end of said channel member, the opposite end of said handle member covering said terminal means, and means for securing said opposite ends of said members to said housing.

,8. In a vacuum cleaner, a housing defining a compartment having an opening, a motor-fan unit for producing flow of air through said compartment, a closure for said opening, a bar secured to the outside of said housing adjacent to said opening for removably engaging said closure, a channel member of insulating material on said housing enclosing a major portion of said bar and having a shouldered projection adjacent to one end for engaging an aperture in said bar to secure said end of said channel member to said housing, an electric switch for controlling said motor enclosed by a central portion of said channel member and retained between the latter and said housing, a handle member of insulating material for carrying said cleaner, one end of said handle member extending through an opening in said channel member adjacent to said switch so as to be disposed between said channel member and said housing, a fastening element extending from said channel member adjacent to said switch and through said end of said channel member to secure said members to said housing, electric terminal means for said motor mounted on the opposite end of said channel member, conductors extending through said channel member from said terminal means to said switch, said terminal means being covered by the opposite end of said handle means, and means for securing said opposite ends of said members to said housingn 9. In a vacuum cleaner, a housing, a motor-fan unit in said housing, conductors providing a circuit for supplying current to the motor of said unit, a hollow channel member including a top and a pair of side walls secured to the exterior of said housing, a switch case including a bottom and a pair of side walls disposed Within said channel member, the top wall of said channel member having three parallel slots, a toggle switch connected in said circuit and located in said case and retained between the bottom wall of the case and the top wall of said channel, said switch having a pivoted arm extending through the open top of said case and through the middle slot, a switch actuating member having a pair of parallel portions joined together by a third portion normal thereto, said parallel portions extending through the outer two of said slots and between the side walls of said channel member and the side walls of said case and being pivoted in one of said pairs of side walls, and means on said third portion engaging said pivoted arm, all of 'the parts being removably held in assembled rotation by said channel being secured to said housing.

10. In a vacuum cleaner, a housing, a motor-fan unit in said housing, conductors providing a circuit for supplying current to the motor of said unit, a hollow channel member including a top and a pair of side walls secured to the exterior of said housing, a switch case ineluding a bottom and a pair of side walls disposed within said channel member, the top wall of said channel member having three parallel slots, a toggle switch connected in said circuit and located in said case and retained between the bottom wall of the ease and the top wall of said channel, said switch having a pivoted arm extending through the open top of said case and through the middle slot, a switch actuating member having a pair of parallel portions joined together by a third portion normal thereto, said parallel portions extending through the outer two of said slots and between the side walls of said channel member and the side walls of said case, projections extending outwardly from said parallel portions and pivot-- ally; received in recesses formed in the side walls of said channel member, and means on said third portion engaging said pivoted arm, all of the parts being removably held in assembled relation by said channel being secured to said housing.

-,11. In a vacuum cleaner, a housing, a motor-fan unit in said housing, conductors providing a circuit for supplying current to the motor of said unit, a hollow channel member including atop and a pair of side walls secured to the exterior of said housing, a switch case including a, bottom and a pair of side walls disposed within said channelmember, the top wall of said channel member having three parallel slots, a toggle switch connected in said circuit and located in said case and retained between the bottom wall of the case and the top wall of said channel, said switch having a pivoted arm extending,

through the open top of said case and through the middle slot, a switch actuating member having a pair of parallel portions joined together by a third portion normal thereto, said parallel portions extending through the outer two of said slots and between the side walls of said channel member and the side walls of said case, projections extending outwardly from said parallel portions and pivotally received in recesses formed in the side walls of said channel member, the width of said case between said parallel portions being such as to retain said projections in said recesses, and means on said third portion engaging said pivoted arm, all of the parts being removably held in assembled relation by said channel being secured to said housing.

12. In a vacuum cleaner, a housing, a motor-fan unit in said housing, a member of insulating material secured to the outside of said housing, the outer surface of said member being formed with a serpentine groove therein communicating with an enlarged recess, a pair of terminals secured to said member in said recess, conductors connecting said terminals to the motor of said unit, said surface being formed with a pair of relatively narrow grooves extending from said recess adjacent to said terminals, resilient contacts carried by said terminals and extending into said narrow grooves, an electric cord having a pair of conductors disposed in said serpentine groove and terminating in said recess, contact strips connected to the conductors of said cord and disposed in the respective narrow grooves in current conducting relation to said resilient contacts, and a cover of insulating material secured to said member to enclose said grooves and said recess.

13. In a vacuum cleaner, a housing, a motor-fan unit in said housing, a member of insulating material secured to the outside of said housing, the outer surface of said member being formed with a serpentine groove therein communicating with an enlarged recess, a pair of terminals secured to said member in said recess, conductors connecting said terminals to the motor of said unit, said surface formed with a pair of relatively narrow grooves extending from said recess adjacent to said terminals, resilient contacts carried by said terminals and extending into said narrow grooves, an electric cord having a pair of conductors disposed in said serpentine groove and terminating in said recess, contact strips connected to the conductors of said cord and disposed in the respective narrow grooves in current conducting relation to said resilient contacts, and a handle of insulating material secured to said housing and having a portion extending over said surface and enclosing said groove and recess.

14. In a vacuum cleaner, a housing defining a dust bag compartment having an opening, a flexible gasket surrounding said opening and forming a dust bag seat, a disposable dust bag insertable into said compartment and including a centrally apertured cardboard disc seatable around the periphery thereof on said gasket, a cover for said opening removably securable to said housing, an in.

agar-4358 let conduit" carried-by said cover and insatiable ih tlie} aperture of said disc, at flexible ring around said conduit forbe'aring against the central portionof said disc to urgesaidperiphery against'said gasketg-a pettnanenfldu'st bag interchangeable with saidi disposable bag and includ ing a rigid rim around an open mouth of said-bag';- a-

gasket' carried by said rirn including a riii'g portion-for 4 Seating on a the first-mentioned gasket and' an outwardly" aperture'of said disc, a flexible ring; around said conduit" for bearing against the central portion of said disc to urge sa'id periphery against said gasket, a permanent dust baginte'rchangeable with said disposable bagand including a.

rigidrim around an open mouth of said bag, a gasketcarriedby said rim-includinga ring portion for seating on the first-mentioned gasket and an outwardly flared portion extending outwardly from the inner edge' of the radial face of said ring portion for contacting said cover 10 outwardly of the ring thereon, and a motor-fan unit in said housing for producing a vacuum in said compartment whereby atmospheric pressure on the outside of said flared portion urges the latter into sealing engagement with said cover and atmospheric pressure on said radial face urges said ring portion into sealing engagement with said first-mentioned gasket.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,714,425 Cawl Aug. 2, 1955 

